Defiance College Annual Fire Safety Report for 2016 The Campus Fire Safety Right-To-know Act is an amendment to the Higher Education Opportunity Act. This amendment serves to increase campus fire safety awareness across the nation, providing students and their families with fire safety records of colleges and universities. Signed into law on August 14, 2008, this amendment requires post-secondary institutions to publish fire safety information and statistics, much as already done with other crime statistics, such as campus theft and assault. Additionally, the National Student Loan Program requires all eligible Title IV institutions that maintain on-campus student housing facilities to publish an annual fires safety report that contains information about campus fire safety practices and standards of the institution. The statistics include the number, cause, related injuries and deaths, and property damages associated with each fire. In addition, each institution is required to report fire safety information to the U.S. Department of Education. Collectively, this information provides prospective and current students information regarding the policies, concerns, and fire safety conditions that are present at Defiance College. Portable Electrical Appliances, Smoking and Open Flames in Student Housing Defiance College regulates portable electric appliances, smoking, and open flames in on-campus housing and fire safety policies and procedures. See the Student Handbook for more information. The College further reserves the right to direct residents to remove from their room any hazardous materials. The final decision regarding removal of such materials will be made by the Director of Residence Life after review by the Hall Directors. Items may be confiscated and held in the Residence Life office if they violate hall fire safety and/or jeopardize security and community living. Portable Electrical Appliances The use of personal electrical appliances is limited because of sanitation, safety, and electrical concerns. The following appliances are prohibited in residence hall rooms: air conditioners (special approval only), toaster ovens, George Foreman grills, hot plates, commercial food preparation apparatus, space heaters, sun-lamps, halogen lamps/lights/ light bulbs, and electric blankets. Small microwaves and refrigerators of the proper size are allowed (not in excess of 4.5 cubic feet). Microwave ovens are restricted to a maximum electrical capacity of 900 watts. All approved appliances must bear the UL (Underwriters Lab) seal of approval. All other appliances are subject to the discretionary judgment of the Director of Residence Life. When additional electrical outlets are needed in a student room, FUSED SURGE PROTECTOR STRIPS MUST BE USED INSTEAD OF STANDARD ELECTRICAL EXTENSION CORDS. Open Flames and Flammable Storage Candles used for decorative purposes are prohibited. Candles and other devices with open flames, as well as incense, are prohibited. Additionally, fireworks and flammable liquids, such as propane, gasoline, petroleum-based solvents, paint thinners, and similar flammable materials may not be stored in residence halls. Grills that utilize charcoal, lighter fluid or propane gas are prohibited in the residence halls. Use of a grill can take place in the Quad area between Whitney and McReynolds Hall with prior permission from the Annual Fire Safety Report 2016 2016 pg. 1
Office of Residence Life. All barbecue grills must be attended at all times and must be kept a safe distance from the buildings and vehicles. Hot coals must be doused with water when cooking is complete are not to be disposed of on the ground. Smoking The use of tobacco products and e-cigarettes is prohibited in all campus buildings and campus-owned vehicles. Smoking is also prohibited on all outdoor areas of campus, except parking lots. Those who choose to smoke on Defiance College property must do so in parking lots and dispose of all trash appropriately. Fire Safety Education and Training Programs Defiance College promotes campus fire safety on an ongoing basis through various safety education and training programs. Residence hall staff receive orientation to the operations and locations of the fire alarm system, as well as a review of their roles during a fire or fire drill. The resident assistants and hall directors receive general fire safety and fire extinguisher training from the Defiance Fire Department and during fall training. Students receive a general orientation to the fire systems present in the building during the first week of the residents arrival. Staff also review evacuation and emergency procedures with residents. Residence hall students participate in one fire drill during both the fall and spring semesters. Reporting a Fire Occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility Individuals discovering a fire at a Defiance College on-campus student housing facility should dial 9-1-1 and activate the fire alarm system. Fire Drills Residence Halls One fire drill is conducted at the beginning of the fall semester and one fire drill is also conducted at the beginning of the spring semester. All residents must leave the building when the alarm sounds for the drill. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action. Grand Avenue Apartments Apartment residents receive information regarding fire safety and evacuation from the Resident Assistant at the beginning of the academic year. 20 College Place House residents receive information regarding fire safety and evacuation from the Hall Directors at the beginning of the academic year. Fire Alarm System Residence Halls Each residence hall is equipped with a building fire alarm system, and each student room has a smoke detector. In accordance with state law, when the building alarm sounds, all residents are required to leave the building. Residents cannot re-enter a building until permitted by hall staff. The interference with the operation of the smoke detector or any other fire safety equipment will result in disciplinary action in addition to being liable for damages and subject to applicable criminal and civil penalties. Annual Fire Safety Report 2016 2016 pg. 2
Grand Avenue Apartments All apartments have smoke detectors. The interference with the operation of the smoke detector or any other fire safety equipment will result in disciplinary action in addition to being liable for damages and subject to applicable criminal and civil penalties. 20 College Place The house has smoke detectors. The interference with the operation of the smoke detector or any other fire safety equipment will result in disciplinary action in addition to being liable for damages and subject to applicable criminal and civil penalties. Suppression System Whitney Hall and Jacket Suites A sprinkler system is provided for additional safety in the event of a fire. Residents must be careful not to damage, tamper with, cover, or hang items from the sprinkler heads or an accidental discharge of water may result. In addition, residents may not store personal items within 18 inches of any sprinkler head. Fire Safety and Prevention Know every regular and emergency exit from the building you are in. Know how to activate the alarm system and what it sounds like. Know the location of fire extinguishers and how to operate them. Arrange room contents with fire safety in mind. Maintain clear and unobstructed access to your room door, from both the outside and the inside, at all times. Do not overload electrical outlets. Do not use broken, frayed, or cracked electrical cords. Do not suspend lamps or lights by their own cords. Do not allow excess clutter or flammable materials to accumulate. Fire Evacuation Procedures Students in On-Campus Housing When a fire alarm sounds, the following should be observed: Close windows, turn off lights and electrical equipment and close and lock door if time allows. Walk; do not run, to the nearest exit. If the closest exit is blocked by fire or smoke, find an alternative exit. If requested, accompany and assist persons with disabilities or injuries who appear to need assistance. After exiting, get away from the building and follow directions from the Residence Life staff, Security staff and/or Fire Department officials. Do not re-enter the building until the authorization is given by the Fire Department. Failure to follow fire safety guidelines, including transmittal of a false fire alarm, tampering with smoke/heat detection devices, fire extinguishing equipment, or failure to evacuate during a fire alarm is prohibited. Violators may be subject to fines, campus judicial action, and/ or prosecution. Campus Employees It is important for employees to familiarize themselves with the procedures of fire reporting. 1. Safety of the People. Evacuate people as readily as possible. Close doors to isolate the fire. A person with an ambulatory disability should move to the opposite end of the building near a stairway Annual Fire Safety Report 2016 2016 pg. 3
and away from the fire, and wait for firefighters to arrive. Exit strategies should be discussed with supervisors. 2. Send the Alarm. Call the Fire Department, 9-911, and relay all information pertaining to the fire (i.e., location, floor, room, building, etc.). If the building is equipped with the fire pull boxes, break the glass, and pull the bar. 3. Notify Others in the Area. Use any alarm provided for this purpose. Move out to a safe area to give firefighters a clear field. 4. Assist Campus Police or Firefighters. Relate to them what is burning (i.e., special chemicals, radiation hazards) or any other pertinent information. Fire Safety Systems in On-Campus Housing Nearly 500 students live in on-campus housing at Defiance College. Each student-housing facility is equipped with fire detection systems and pull boxes. The fire safety systems report is shown in Figure 1. Fire Safety Definitions On-campus student housing facility is any student housing facility that is owned or controlled by the institution, or is located on property that is owned or controlled by the institution, and is within the reasonably contiguous geographic area that makes up the campus is considered an on-campus student housing facility. Cause of fire is the factor or factors that give rise to a fire. The causal factor may be, but is not limited to, the result of an intentional or unintentional action, mechanical failure, or act of nature. Fire is any instance of open flame or other burning in a place not intended to contain the burning or in an uncontrolled manner. Fire drill is a supervised practice of a mandatory evacuation of a building for a fire. Fire-related injury is any instance in which a person is injured as a result of a fire, including an injury sustained from a natural or accidental cause, while involved in fire control, attempting rescue, or escaping from the dangers of the fire. The term person may include students, employees, visitors, firefighters, or any other individuals. Fire-related death is any instance in which a person is killed as a result of a fire, including death resulting from a natural or accidental cause while involved in fire control, attempting rescue, or escaping from the dangers of a fire; or dies within one year of injuries sustained as a result of the fire. Fire safety system is any mechanism or system related to the detection of a fire, the warning resulting from a fire, or the control of a fire. This may include sprinkler systems or other fire extinguishing systems, fire detection devices, stand-alone smoke alarms, devices that alert one to the presence of a fire, such as horns, bells, or strobe lights; smoke-control and reduction mechanisms; and fire doors and walls that reduce the spread of a fire. Value of property damage is the estimated value of the loss of the structure and contents, in terms of the cost of replacement in like kind and quantity. This estimate should include contents damaged by fire, and related damages caused by smoke, water, and overhaul; however, it does not include indirect loss, such as business interruption. Annual Fire Safety Report 2016 2016 pg. 4
Fire Log Defiance College tracks fire alarms and fire calls. Figure 2 provides information pertaining to fires that have occurred at Defiance College on-campus housing facilities for the 2014, 2015, and 2016 calendar years. Defiance College maintains available for public inspection upon request a fire log, generated that includes a listing of all fires that occur in an on-campus student housing facility. The report includes the nature, date, time and general location of each fire. The log may be viewed at the Student Life office in Hubbard Hall. Post-Fire Contact Information Contact the Defiance Fire Department to report fires that have been successfully extinguished in oncampus housing: (419) 782-2771. The DFD will investigate and generate a report as appropriate. Communication regarding insurance coverage and future fire prevention efforts may be directed to the Dean of Students (419-783-2587). When calling, provide as much information as possible about the location, date, time and cause of the fire. Plans for Future Improvements in Fire Safety Defiance College continually evaluates the fire protection system in residential facilities. Upgrades to the system occur through replacements or building renovations. Current planning and education include: Informational and interactive programs for students to learn about fire safety. Surprise and scheduled fire safety checks. Annual Fire Safety Report 2016 2016 pg. 5
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